The non-branded generic drugs (sold under chemical names such as cetrizene, omeprazole and nimusulide), which constitute about 8 per cent of the Rs 30,000 crore (Rs 300 billion) Indian pharmaceutical market, is currently not subjected to any such margin cap and according to a study done by the department some of them such are even sold at a margin as high as 1,000 per cent in the market.
Prices may drop by up to 92 per cent with the pharma industry agreeing to a government proposal on capping trade margins.
Researchers at Northwell Health in New York are testing the effects on Famotidine (used in high intravenous doses) on Covid-19 patients as a potential treatment. After the hospital announced its clinical trials, it led to a drug shortage in the US. Back home, however, there has not been any surge in the demand for Famotidine yet.
Probiotics are known to improve the gut flora and help prevent progression of digestive disorders, says Afaaf Shaikh.
Sun Pharma was by far the biggest gainer in the Sensex pack, surging 8.13 per cent, followed by Dr Reddy's at 4.92 per cent.
